Naruto: In Konoha Village, I awakened Wood Release at the start.

Leaf.

Inside the meeting room.

Hearing Fujiwara's words.

Chiba sat in the chair at the back, not even lifting his eyelids.

He rested his chin on his hand, his expression as calm as a still pond.

Cut provision funds by 30%?

This is indeed the Daimyo's most proficient technique!

As for sending someone to the capital of the Land of Fire?

Not urgent.

He'll go sooner or later!

at the same time.

The air in the hall seemed to freeze.

All eyes were darting back and forth between Fujiwara and Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared intently at the imperial edict on the table.

His chest heaved violently, and his breathing was as heavy as a broken bellows.

The emperor has overstepped his authority!

This is completely against the rules!

Since the First Hokage established the system of one village per country.

The daimyo of the Land of Fire is only responsible for providing the money.

In Konoha Village, the daimyo has at most only the right to make suggestions regarding internal personnel appointments!

Now they actually dare to threaten us with cutting off our food supplies?

Deceiving too much!

Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his hands on the podium, forcibly straightening his hunched body.

"Fujiwara-sama!"

"Konoha will respect the Daimyo's will."

"But every village has its own rules!"

His voice was hoarse, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"The position of Hokage is related to the situation of the entire ninja world."

"Although the Daimyo has proposed that Chiba become the Hokage candidate, this is not in accordance with the proper procedures!"

Upon hearing Hiruzen Sarutobi's words...

Koharu, as if grasping at a lifeline, immediately screamed.

"That's right!"

"No matter how strong Chiba is, he's only a Chunin in name only!"

"How can a Chunin skip ranks and become Hokage?"

"This is absolutely ridiculous!"

Mitokado Yan adjusted his black-rimmed glasses and echoed his sentiment.

"The selection of Hokage requires a vote of confidence from the Jonin class."

"We also need to gain the approval of the major ninja clans."

"This cannot be decided by a single imperial edict!"

Two consultants were frantically encouraging the idea from the sidelines.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's facial muscles relaxed slightly.

As long as we muddy the waters and drag things into the power struggles within Konoha.

He refused to believe he couldn't beat a teenager!

No matter how strong Chiba is, he is ultimately just one person.

His disciples and former subordinates were scattered throughout Konoha.

Which of the major families hasn't received favors from his third generation?

Thinking about this...

Hiruzen Sarutobi coughed twice and cleared his throat.

"I admit that the village has indeed encountered quite a few problems recently."

"I cannot escape blame for Danzo's actions."

"I am indeed getting old, and my energy is not what it used to be."

"It's time to hand over the position to the younger generation."

He started to back down!

The Jonin present looked at each other in bewilderment.

The ninja who led Konoha for forty years actually publicly admitted his mistake?

"I am willing to abdicate!"

Wow!

A suppressed gasp suddenly rang out in the conference room.

Is the Third Hokage about to step down?

This is an absolutely major event!

Before everyone could process the news...

Hiruzen Sarutobi then revealed his trump card.

"For the stability of the village."

"I, in my capacity as the Third Hokage, hereby nominate Jiraiya!"

"A candidate to become the Fifth Hokage!"

These words were spoken with great conviction.

Jiraiya!

One of the legendary Sannin.

Toad Sage.

His reputation, strength, and contributions to Konoha are all renowned throughout the ninja world.

The key is.

Jiraiya was also Hiruzen Sarutobi's personal disciple!

Hiruzen Sarutobi was secretly pleased with himself.

This tactic of retreating to advance is absolutely perfect.

Da Ming recommends Chiba?

Then I recommend Jiraiya!

Let the Jonin choose for themselves!

He firmly believed that the vast majority of people present would vote for the renowned Jiraiya.

Instead of a violent teenager who had just returned to the village and personally tore Danzo apart.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked down at the audience with great anticipation.

He was waiting for someone to stand up and agree with him.

Once the momentum starts, Jiraiya's popularity will surely surpass that of Chiba.

one second.

two seconds.

The meeting room was deathly silent.

No one responded.

A bead of cold sweat trickled down Hiruzen Sarutobi's forehead.

Something's off!

So weird!

Just then.

A screeching sound of a chair scraping against the floor rang out.

It stood out starkly in the quiet room.

All eyes turned to it instantly.

Nara Shikaku slowly stood up.

Upon seeing this.

Hiruzen Sarutobi breathed a sigh of relief.

Pig, Deer, Butterfly!

A staunch supporter of all Hokage!

Although Lu Jiu is usually lazy, he has a very strong sense of the big picture.

Standing up at this time must mean she's strongly supporting Jiraiya.

"Shikaku, tell me what you think."

Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke in a gentle tone, as if victory was already assured.

Nara Shikaku scratched his messy pineapple head.

His gaze swept over the crowd, and he subtly glanced at Chiba in the corner.

Chiba continued to rest his chin on his hand, not giving him even a fleeting expression.

Nara Shikaku smiled bitterly to himself.

This new master is really quite composed.

Since that's the case, then he'll have to be the one to break this deadlock.

Nara Shikaku withdrew his gaze and looked directly at Hiruzen Sarutobi on the stage.

"Sandaime-sama."

I object to your proposal.

Boom!

These words struck Hiruzen Sarutobi like a bolt from the blue, hitting him squarely on the head.

Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand trembled, and he almost dropped his pipe on the ground.

He suspected that he had heard wrongly.

"What did you say?"

Nara Shikaku did not back down and raised his voice several decibels.

"Lord Jiraiya has been traveling around for many years and has no idea about the current situation of the village."

"He was an excellent ninja, but definitely not a qualified politician."

"Konoha is currently beset by internal and external troubles."

"What we need is a leader with absolute power, capable of decisive action!"

Nara Shikaku said every word.

"I am the head of the Nara clan."

"I publicly support Lord Chiba to become the Fifth Hokage!"

Dead silence.

A deathly silence.

When Xiaochun turned to the dormitory, her mouth dropped open so wide that her jaw almost fell to the ground.

Mitokado Yan's glasses slipped down to the tip of her nose.

The pig-deer-cho pair actually betrayed us?

How is that possible!

Before they could react...

Two more people stood up next to them.

Choza Akimichi patted his round belly and shouted loudly.

"Me too!"

"The Akimichi clan supports Lord Chiba!"

Yamanaka Inoichi smoothed his golden hair, his expression serious.

"The mountain tribe seconded this."

The three clans share the same blood and are closely connected.

Nara Shikaku's decision was a decision they made together.

Hiruzen Sarutobi has been working to consolidate his power over the years.

He condoned Danzo's human experimentation and suppressed the major ninja clans.

Even the Senju clan has been reduced to a dwindling population.

Following this kind of master, you'll eventually be sold out and still be counting the money for them.

Chiba possesses extraordinary strength, wields Wood Release, and has Tsunade and the Daimyo backing him up.

Only a fool wouldn't know how to choose!

Hiruzen Sarutobi swayed slightly.

His facial muscles twitched violently as he stared at the three of them in disbelief.

"you……"

Do you even know what you're doing?

Hiruzen Sarutobi squeezed out these words through gritted teeth.

"This is rebellion!"

"You Ino-Shika-Cho trio have benefited from the Hokage's grace for generations."

"Now they're actually colluding with outsiders, attempting to overthrow Konoha?"

Xiaochun screamed as she turned to her new room.

She pointed at Nara Shikaku's nose, her finger trembling.

"outsider?"

A cold voice came from the other side.

Yu Nuzhi stood up slightly and adjusted her sunglasses.

"When did the Senju clan become outsiders to Konoha?"

"Without Lord Hashirama Senju, where would Konoha Village be?"

Zhiwei's voice wasn't loud, but every word was piercing.

"The Aburame clan supports Lady Senju Chiba as the fifth generation leader."

Four families now!

Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a sudden dizziness.

These guys were in cahoots all along!

No wonder the Senju headquarters was always bustling with activity, but when he sent his secret agents to monitor it, they couldn't find anything.

It turns out they had made a secret deal behind my back all along!

"Great...very good!"

"So what if your four families support him?"

"There are many more powerful clans in Konoha than just a few of you!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi gritted his teeth.

Done.

He then turned his gaze to Uchiha Fugaku, who was sitting in the front row.

The Uchiha clan!

The controller of the Konoha Police Force.

As long as the Uchiha clan stands by his side, there is still a chance to salvage the situation.

the most important is.

The Senju and Uchiha are sworn enemies!

Back then, Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju fought a battle that caused the heavens and earth to shatter.

As the head of the Uchiha clan, how could Fugaku possibly watch a descendant of the Senju clan rise to power?